Today, Explained The view from Iran
Jan 7, 2020
Dina Esfandiary, a Fellow at the Century Foundation in London and an expert on Iranian politics, shares her insights on the implications of Qassem Soleimani's assassination. She argues that it was a strategic boon for the Iranian government, sparking nationalistic fervor amidst public protests. The conversation unveils the complexities surrounding Soleimani's legacy, showcasing both admiration and criticism. Additionally, personal narratives from Iranian-Americans highlight the deep emotional impact of these events on their identities amidst rising political tensions.
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Widespread Protests
- It's difficult to estimate the exact number of protestors in Iran, but images show large crowds throughout the country.
- Interestingly, the protests seem to unite Iranians across the political spectrum.
National Hero
- Qassem Soleimani's death has unified Iranians in their view of him as a national hero, regardless of their political stances.
- This shared national identity is further reinforced by the fact that his assassination was ordered by a foreign country.
Miscalculation
- The Trump administration may have miscalculated the Iranian response to Soleimani's assassination, expecting existing anti-government sentiment to outweigh nationalistic fervor.
- They likely extrapolated from previous protests, assuming Iranians wouldn't rally behind a controversial figure.